Connections - Arise Church · hacksaw. It just would have taken a lot longer, been more...

Debbie Short is a real original—not only for her special personality and talents, but she was one of the original Arise members, attending our church from the very first service. She grew up in Whitmore Lake, the second youngest of six sisters, combined in a blended family, along with parents Marion and Rosie Darling. Debbie’s father worked in maintenance at U of M and her mother was a homemaker and cashier at a grocery store in Ann Arbor. Their family includes Shirley, Wanda and Sharon, who all live in various northern Michigan cities; Claudia, who lives in Phoenix and her youngest sister, Cyndi, also a member of Arise, lives in Stockbridge with her granddaughter, Taylor Cole, who attends Arise, as well. Debbie’s daughters, Jessica Short from Brighton and Marcia Gebarowski, son-in-law Jon and grand-daughter Alyson from Howell, attend church at Arise, too! Church has been a family affair from early on in Debbie’s life, where she grew up helping with VBS, being a Sunday School teacher, and singing in the choir.

In 1983, the Shorts moved to Pinckney. “We got a phone call inviting us to attend Arise Church weekend meetings in people’s homes”—informal Friday and Saturday evening services that were the precursor to Arise “going live” as a formal church. “I intended to go to one of those services, but just didn’t get around to it, there was always a conflict,” Debbie says. “Just before the first service was to be held at Jane Tasch Theater, my dad became very sick and my mom, sisters and I were trying to figure out what to do. It was at that time that I made a deal with God. If He would direct me about what to do with Dad, I would return to church. I

felt a tremendous relief—all concerns were gone. We placed my dad in hospice and he died 3 days later. I started at the first Arise service and have been going ever since,” she says with conviction.

During her years at Arise, Debbie has been the “cookie lady” for hospitality, SPRC Chair, Co-chair of Trustees, a member of Missions, active in the Drama Team and choir and recently, served as Finance Chair. Asked what keeps her coming to Arise, she responds immediately. “I love the people of Arise, I love the opportunities, I believe in everything we’ve got going on here.”

As for those ladies in her immediate family, daughter Marcia works for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a privately funded, state run company, which encourages “green” companies to locate in Michigan with tax incentives. Marcia’s adorable little girl, Alyson, is 2 1/2 years old

MinistersEvery member of the Church

PastorDon Weatherup

Director of Music Rich Sliter

Administrative AssistantDave Russell

Ministry Center11211 Dexter-Pinckney Rd.Pinckney, MI 48169

734 878-1928734 878-2748 (F)www.arisechurch.org

Connections Arise-a United Methodist Church

May/June 2010

Debbie Short: A Story of Four Generations

continued on pg. 3

Four Generations: (l to r) (front) Alyson, Marcia & Rosie; (back) Jessica, Debbie

Arise – a United Methodist Church • May/June 2010

I was raised in a family of eight, six children and my parents. My mother was a full time house-hold engineer (it was definitely enough work to deserve a fancy title) and my father worked in a department store. Like many families, money was often tight, so whenever possible, my mom and

dad attempted to fix things them-selves. This was true with both home

repairs and car repairs. But it seemed growing up that car repairs were nearly constant.

Beginning in about Junior High school, when the car needed fixing, my dad would often ask for assistance from me or one of my brothers. I can remember one time in particular that our muffler had a leak and needed to be replaced. The car was in the driveway up on auto ramps and the available space where the exhaust pipe needed to be cut was very tight. I could only pull the hack saw back and forth about an inch at a time. We took turns with that hacksaw until our hands were sore trying to cut that pipe.

Two hours into the job, our neighbor and a good family friend, stopped by to see what we were working on. We called him “Uncle Rich” even though he was not my uncle. When we explained the issue he said, “I’ll be right back,” and headed to his garage. He returned with a torch. He said, “Let me get under there.” In less than a minute he had the pipe off. And then he said something that has helped me ever since. He said, “It makes a world of difference to have the right tool.”

That line would reverberate in my head many times throughout my life. Like the time I tried to loosen a leaky pipe under a sink with a small pair of pliers until I stopped to go borrow a pipe wrench. Or the time I tried changing an alternator in my car and could not get a bolt off to save my life, until I went to the store to purchase an angled socket piece and it came off in seconds. Uncle Rich’s line has saved me many times in my life.

And lately, I’ve even heard Uncle Rich’s line as I’ve thought about our new church building, plus the Arise Church Community Dog Park. Sometimes even churches need the right tools to get the job done. But it is also so important that we remember what the job is. The job of the church, and of every Christian, is to help point people to a relationship with God as the source of true happiness and joy.

PAstoR’s PAGe AnD InsPIRAtIonAl news

Pastor Don weatherup

Pastor’s ColumnCould we accomplish this task without the new building and without the dog park? Of course we could, the same way that we could have cut that exhaust pipe with the hacksaw. It just would have taken a lot longer, been more frustrating, and wouldn’t have been the most efficient way to get the job done.

What we absolutely can’t afford to do is to open the doors to the Dog Park or the new building and assume our job is done. They’re just tools! We need to continue to do the work of ministry.

We need Arise Church people to continue to use the Dog Park frequently, so that we can slowly build relationships with those from the community who will use the dog park. Once you get to know someone, it makes it much easier and more comfortable to make an invitation to attend something else going on at Arise Church.

We need Arise Church people to think about family, friends, neighbors and co-workers that may be open to attending Arise Church with a new building that may not have been interested in attending a mobile church. We need to be intentional about making the invitation. Whom will you approach? It’s time to start thinking about this question, and very soon, it will be time to start acting on it.

Now that we’re doing ministry with different tools, and hopefully the right tools, we need to look at the possi-bilities with fresh new eyes. It is my prayer that these changes will bring fresh new hope, new energy, and a renewed commitment to what we’re all about, intro-ducing people to a life changing relationship with the God who loves them. These new additions are wonderful, but they’re only tools. It’s still up to us to get the job done. In fact, Christ is counting on you. Matthew 4:19 Jesus said to them, “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.”

The Lord has blessed us with a couple of new rods. Let’s go fishing!

Pastor Don

Arise – a United Methodist Church • May/June 2010 PAGE 3

woRshIP, CelebRAtIon & MInIstRy

This May marked my fourth year of packing up my friends, relatives, co-workers and tools and heading to New Orleans to work for Habitat for Humanity. A week long adventure of hard work (and play) for a great cause.

This annual trip originally started after I saw a televi-sion special on New Orleans – One Year After Katrina. I remember thinking, “How bad can it still be after an entire year?” It seemed that every night on the evening news they were reporting more Federal and State aid or some special interest fundraiser money heading south along with countless truckloads of building materials and food being sent by countless organizations and individuals trying to help. What more could possibly need doing?

Well, let’s just say after watching that show, I was in shock. “How could this be? This must be a rebroadcast from earlier in the year”, I thought. I double-checked, it wasn’t. Business after business, home after home boarded up or abandoned. Junk cars, appliances, furniture, clothes, toys and everything else you can imagine were piled up everywhere. What a disaster.

It just so happened that on that same weekend, I was helping at my friend, Gordon’s, church, to fix up a house for a local organization: Rebuilding Oakland County. During the day I had mentioned the show I watched about New Orleans, probably having said something along the lines of “If you think this house is a mess, you should see what New Orleans looks like.” Nothing more was really discussed and we went about our day fixing up an elderly lady’s home in desperate need of repair.

The following Monday while at work, I received an email from the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity thanking me for my interest in their organization and confirming my arrival date. “What the...”, I mumbled. “I never signed up for anything!” The email went on to explain further that if I had any questions about the date, I was to contact my group leader… my friend Gordon. As it turned out, when he got home that night, he went on-line and started looking at news clips and photos of the devastation. Before he shut down his computer for the night, he signed us both up.

Over the years we’ve had as few as two and as many as eight others join in and like us are hooked and return each year. We’ve met volunteers, Habitat employees and AmeriCorps folks from every walk of life. From fellow church goers, bikers and Green Peace-ers to junior high band members and college spring breakers, kids just trying to find their place in the world, to retirees. I even headed up a 20 girl crew of 12-14 year olds from a South African mission choir. They sang like angels, even if they did build houses like a 12-14 year old girl’s choir. Sometimes, it’s not only about what you’re building on the outside. It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord brings us together, but who would of thought it would be through a TV, a friend, a hurricane and a tool belt.

Soul Food in the Big Easyby Jeff Vaden

now and can be seen toddling around Arise with mommy and grandma most Sundays. Jessica, a Certified Nursing Assistant, had a harrowing ordeal a year ago on a Friday the 13th when she awoke to her upper level apartment building in Fenton being engulfed in smoke and flames. Thanks to God, Debbie was still awake after finishing her 3 a.m. shift at the homeless shelter program in Pinckney and was able to talk Jessica through the ordeal, along with Tom, as her stairwell was on fire and Jessica couldn’t exit the building without the aid of firefighters. Her cat, Riley, was thought to have died in the fire, but was seen 12 days later sitting in the window of her burned out building and now lives happily with Jessica in her new house in Brighton. Lastly, Debbie and Tom have modified their home so that her mother could live there with them and recently, Rosie moved into her new apartment addition. She attends Arise with Debbie when she can. In all, there is a lot to be thankful for and the Short women all celebrated Mother’s Day together a little early this year, so they could all be together. We are grateful for all of you and for your many years of service at Arise!

Debbie Short… continued from pg. 1


ARIse ChuRCh

Flash floods, drag queens, death-defying survivors, and thousands of dollars changing hands--sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster, right? Well, this tale was non-fiction and it was set at our own Brighton High School track. Once again Arise Church

was in on the action, supporting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Steve Cary went above and beyond the call of duty this year, dressing in drag to raise money in the Ms. Relay contest. He made one good-looking woman! This is why we call him “SCary One.” Also, we really appreciated the comforting shelter of Barb and Duane’s fifth wheel

camper when torrential downpours continued soaking us Friday night. Twenty-six walkers carried our Arise flag around the track during the fundraising event--thank you. Many other Arise folks pledged those walkers and donated munchies for our overnight stay--thank you. Cancer is an ugly disease, but it brings together some beautiful people.

Relay for Life – May 21 & 22, 2010by Jen Wagner, Coordinator

(l to r) Diane Gould, Mary Read Gannon, Carol sanborn, Jen wagner & Rich sliter

(l to r) laurel hubbard, April Flanagan, Cheryl bollinger

Front and Center: steve Cary


ARIse ChuRCh

Happy Mother’s Day! Happy Father’s Day!


ARIse PeoPle

Angela CaryAngela has graduated from Central Michigan University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary educa-tion. She has taught English and History at Montebella High School. Before CMU, she attended parochial school in Lansing from Kindergarten

through her Senior year. Future plans include getting married to fiancé, Eddie, on October 2nd, and seeking a teaching position wherever and whenever one becomes available. Angela is the daughter of Steve and Tina Cary. Proud Papa Steve comments, “She is a talented singer and song writer, especially choral music. And she’s wanted to be a writer and a teacher since she was five; that’s exactly what she’s doing!”

ellen RussellEllen has graduated from Pinckney High School and is looking forward to attending Lansing Community College in the fall. Her plan is to take basic studies there and then transfer to MSU for veterinary studies. She and sister Daphney will share an

apartment in East Lansing, beginning in mid-August. Her love of animals goes way back, and has included a hamster, ducks, fish, gerbilsF, five dogs, four birds and a cat. “I’ve never not had an animal!” Ellen hopes to open her own practice some day, and get experience with the Humane Society and (hopefully) an internship at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. “Large animals would be cool.” She also hopes to continue working at Kroger’s, in the Lansing area.

“High school has been fun, with lots of great people and good courses, but I’m ready to move on.”

Paul Pagano Jr.

Paul Pagano Jr. has gradu-ated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He is looking forward to finding work in the civil and construc-tion industry, where broad opportunities exist from

transportation infrastructure (roads and bridges) to water resources (storm and waste water control and treatment). Paul hopes to find a position in Michigan, and work toward his Professional Engineer (PE) license, which requires five years of working under a licensed engineer before he can sit for the exam. Arise has benefited from Paul’s skills and knowledge, since he has worked on the building project. Paul Jr. is the son of proud parents Anita and Paul Pagano.

Josh sliterJosh has graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University. He plans to continue for his Masters of Architecture right away, and hopes to land a spot at a nationally recognized architecture firm.

“I hope to start my own architecture and engi-neering firm some day, but we’ll see where the future takes me.”

Josh lives in Royal Oak and has played for the LTU ice hockey team. In his spare time, he does some model car building, furniture design and plays a little guitar.

“I’d like to thank my parents [Rich and Pat Sliter] for all their support in helping me through college and keeping me on the right track in getting my degree. They never told me what I should study and they’ve always stuck beside me through all four years, and hopefully the next two (or three?).”

Congratulations to the 2010 Graduates in our Arise Family!


To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

June 2010 CAlenDAR

WEEKLY EVENTSsunday _____________Worship Service at Arise Acres (starts 6/6)

9:00 am Traditional Worship

10:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Contemporary Worship

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

30

Trinity Sunday

Worship at Country Elementary

31Memorial

Day

17 pm

Church Council

2 3 4 5

6

holy Communion

Worship at Arise Acres

8 9 10 11 12 13

13


14Flag Day

15 16 17 186 pm

Meat & Greet

19

20


Father’s Day Bake Sale

21First Day

of summer

22 23 24 25 26

27


featuring the oxford uMC Praise band!

28 29 30 1 2 3

Dog Park Openingover thirty people and their dogs enjoyed the Arise Community Dog Park on opening day, May 15th. Many expressed their appreciation, and also offered donations for park upkeep. It’s a busy place. hope to see you there, with your four-legged pals!

VBS Reminder

JULY 19–23

Bring your kids, grand-

kids and neighbor’s kids for a

great time!

- Anatole France

Arise Newsletter teAm

Editorial:April Flanagan, Beth Plachta

Layout/Design: Barbara Wood

Photography: Steve and Tina Cary

Don Weatherup

Distribution: Evva Funk & her team

Thanks to all who contribute; please contact us with your feedback and suggestions!

To every person in the home of:

If you wish to be removed from our newsletter mailing list, please return this mailing panel to us. Thank you.

• Arise Connections is available online and in color at www.arisechurch.org Check out the Missions link on the website!

Arise Ministry Center11211 Dexter-Pinckney Rd.Pinckney, MI 48169

RetuRn seRVICe ReQuesteD

6/4 Avery Germain tom short

6/5 Rim Richards

6/9 Jim Gannon Don Mathis

6/14 brad topp

6/17 Karen Vaden

6/18 Jen wagner

6/20 Paul Pagano Jr.

6/28 sally Guyon Greg stafford

6/29 Mark wood

6/30 laurel hubbard

7/2 brenda whalen

7/4 wilson wagner

7/9 laurel Germain

7/10 steve selvig

7/11 Ryan tice

7/16 Anne Marie Germain

7/21 Mary Ann Mathis

6/2 bob & brenda whalen

6/21 Don & Jane Fuller

6/16 Peter & sherry Graham

6/23 Don & shelley weatherup

6/24 wayne & Mary ellen Kieb

7/18 Kevin & Carrie Germain

7/19 Jeff & Karen Vaden

7/29 brad & norma topp

June/July Anniversaries

June/July Birthdays

–Happy20th!!–Happy30th!!

Connections - Arise Church · hacksaw. It just would have taken a lot longer, been more...

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